AustLit

''Rory Macbeath materialised at the top of our street early one summer morning. Looking back now, all these years later, the weeks that followed still seem like the longest summer of my life.'

'Adelaide, 1977. It is the year Elvis died but for twelve-year-old Jake Taylor that doesn't really mean much. His world revolves around school; Rose Avenue, the street where he and his mum, Harry, live; and the courthouse where Harry is a barrister. His best friend, Robbie Duncan, lives only a few houses away and for them the Christmas holidays are for cricket, tennis and swimming at the pool or the beach. But then Rory Macbeath moves into the red brick house at the end of the avenue and everything starts to change.

'Rory and his family have emigrated to Australia from Glasgow and he and Robbie hit it off instantly. Jake has his doubts. But after long days and nights of swimming, fishing and daring each other into trouble, Jake comes to know Rory has talents and courage beyond anyone he has ever known.

'Like Harry, Rory Macbeath stands up to bullies. Harry does it in the courtroom. Rory does it closer to home. After a fishing trip with Robbie's dad, Mr Duncan brings Rory and the boys back to his house for dinner. But Rory disappears and everyone on Rose Avenue is about to discover why.

'For Jake and Rory nothing will ever be the same.' (Publisher's blurb)